Combination funnel and device for opening tops of bottles and jars



June 15, 1937. E, O LOEBER 2,083,788

COMBINATION FUNNEL AND DEVICE FOR OPENING TOPS OF BOTTLES AND JARS Filed Jan. 8, 1934 INVENTOR 09m? 0. LOEBER ATTORNEYS Patented June' 15, 1937 PATENT or-ncs COMBINATION FUNNEL AND DEVICE. FOR

OPENING TOPS OF BOTTLES AND JARS new 0. mm, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to The Bulo Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 8,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination funnel and device for opening tops of bottles and jars. The invention disclosed herein, relates tothe same general subject matter as, and constitutes an improvement over, my copending application serial No. 688,473, filed September 7, 1933, on a 'Device for opening tops of bottles and jam for which Letters Patent No. 2,015,565 issued September 24, 1935.

There are many different types of devices in use for opening tops of bottles, jars and the like.

rectly from'the containers, without the use of a funnel, resulting in the spilling or losing of a 0 substantial amount of the contents thereof.

Therefore, an object of my invention is, to provide a combination funnel and device for opening tops of bottles and jars.

Another object is to provide an opener, of the type described, which is adapted to open bottle and jar tops, within a relatively wide range of Still another object is to provide an opener which, on account of its construction and shape, is adapted to secure a better grip or purchase on bottle tops or jars than any other known opener. Another object is to provide an opener which is quickly and easily manipulated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of my device mounted on a bottle top in position to remove it;

while I Fig. 4 is an elevation view of my device showing the funnel mounted over a bottleneck.

My combination funnel and opening device preferably is made of a soft and easily flexible or pliable material, such as pliable rubber or the 50 like, although other suitable materials may be used, and comprises a normally elongated member consisting of a continuous side wall 6, round at the end designated 1 and converging or tapered toward the opposite end designated 8, which is 55 also of curvilinear shape and a relatively thin 1924, Serial No. 705,645 (Cl. 226-38) with the bottom edges of the side wall 6 to form the sides of a funnel terminating in a spout or nipple Ill. The nipple I0 is arranged midway between the converging portions of the wall 6 but nearer one end of the member than the other end thereof. Around the outside of the wall 6 a number of corrugations II are formed to facilitate the gripping and holding thereof, while a slot l2, formed in the outside of the funnel spout l0, permits the air to flow out of a receptacle receiving liquid from the funnel 8.

The size of the device illustrated is such that it will conveniently accommodate the ordinary "Mason jar screw cap atthe round end I, while various smaller caps and lids of any smaller; diameters down to a small pill bottle cap, may be fitted into the device at various positions, along the interior of the side wallS toward the tapered end 8.

My device is used as follows:

When, for example, it is to be used in fastening or removing a screw top lid from a Mason Jar, the side wall is flexed outwardly, to permit the side of the jar lid to be engaged by the inner sides of the side wall 6, at the round end I. This will cause the tapered end 8 to be drawn somewhat toward the round end I, and will result in\ the securing of a very secure. and tight purchase or grip on the lid. The tapered end 8 is then gripped between the fingers and a turning motion is imparted to the device either to seat or unscrew the lid on the jar.

When the device is to be used in seating or unscrewing lids from a smaller container, such as is illustrated in Fig. 3, the device is first slipped over such lid at the round end I, and then is pulled toward the tapered end, until the sides of the lid engage the inner sides of the side wall 6. Then the round end I is pinched around the lid, which gives the necessary purchase or grip to permit the manipulation of the lid. The funnel may be used in an obvious manner, illustrated in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the sloping wall 9 of the funnel forms an integral part of the side wall 6 of the opener, and assists in seating the device on a lid by preventing the top edges of the side walls from dropping below the top of the bottle or jar.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art,

. that my invention may be variously changed, I

used or modified, without departing from the v spirit of the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and that the present embodiment of my invention is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary combination tool formed of a single section of elastic material shaped to provide a normally elongated member consisting of a continuous side wall and a relatively thin web connected throughout its marginal portions with one edge of said side wall and having a projecting nipple disposed within and substantially midway between the side portions of said side wall but nearer one end of said member than the other end thereof, all portions of said web surrounding said nipple being inclined outwardly laterally relative to said side wall, said side wall having portions converging relative to the major axis of said member and curvilinear portions connectlng corresponding ends of said converging portions and arranged to cooperate with said web 6 to term a tunnel for pouring liquids, the elongated formation of said member permitting a portion thereof to serve as a handle when said member is used.

2. A unitary combination tool as defined in 10 claim 1, wherein the outer wall of said nipple and outer contiguous wall of said web are formed with a groove to permit venting.

EDGAR O. LOEBER. 

